Reed structure



J. TIEFENTHAL 2,457,852

Jan. 4, 1949.

V REED STRUC'IIURE s sheets-sheet 1 Filed Oct. 18, 1946 if?- Z J. TIEFENTHAL REED STRUCTURE Jan. 4, 1949.

C5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 18, 1946 3 Sheet's-Sheet 3 Jan. 4, 1949.

J. TlEvFENTHAL REED STRUCTURE Filed Oct. 18, 1946 Patented Jan. 4, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE REED STRUCTURE Joseph Tiefenthal, Forest Hills, N. Y.

Application October 18, 1946, Serial No. 703,956

9 claims. 1

This invention relates to reed structures and more particularly to reeds employed in connection with hand operated looms.

It is one of the objects oi this invention to provide means permitting the operation of the reed independently of the loom structure and Without being attached to the latter.

It is another object of this invention to provide means permitting the manufacture of reeds by stamping or other mass production methods.

Yet, another object of this invention is accomplished by the provision of inexpensive and effective reed means employed for beating up the weft although the new reed is not attached to the loom frame, this reed being readily replaceable by or interchangeable with another suitable reed adapted to produce different widths and kinds (coarse or line) of woven goods on one and the same loom structure, said other reed being either shorter or longer than that which is replaced.

Still a further object of this invention is to provide a reed structure whose warp thread guide slots or passageways may be varied in size or changed and adjusted according to the particular shed between the threads depending on the predetermined pattern of the woven goods to be obtained.

Still another object of this invention is to provide means permitting interchangeability of the reed elements and the disposition thereof according to a predetermined plan so that one and the same reed may be employed for achieving various patterns, designs and styles (square, diagonal and the like).

It is still a further object of this invention to provide a reed which can be made from metal, preferably light metal, wood, plastics and like material, which is easy to manipulate by the weaver, can be furnished independently of the loom structure on which it may be used and which may be adjusted and modified according to the width and length of the loom structure.

With these objects in view, the invention consists in certain features of novelty on the construction, combination and arrangement of parts by which the aforesaid and several other objects, hereinafter set forth, areeffected, all as fully described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

Fig. l is a front-elevational view of a reed (part thereof broken away) made in accordance with the invention.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary front-elevational view of a reed in plate form and embodying the invention.

Figs. 3 and 4 illustrate diagrammatically respective positions of the reed (of the type illustrated in Fig. 1) relatively to four series of warp threads. Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view of an adjustable reed structure (partly in section) drawn to an enlarged scale and embodying the invention in modified form.

Fig. 5a is a front elevational View of the adjustable reed in a more complete form, a portion of which is shown in Fig. 5.

Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken along line 6-6 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 6a indicates the diagonal path and positionings of one of the warp threads (shown in section) during weaving operation with a reed made in accordance with this invention.

Fig. '7 is a front-elevational view of a reed in a further modied form. f

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary front-elevational view of a reed with frame stamped from a single piece of light metal plate material and embodying the invention.

Fig. 9 is a sectional view taken along line 9-9 of Fig. 8.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, the reed structure here under consideration is a combinedV reed-heddle and hatten, which keeps the warp threads equally spaced, is adapted to provide a variety of sheds and its frame may be employed for beating up the .previously woven part of the texture to make the latter uniform and even.

Fig. l shows a reed Ill embodying the invention, said reed mainly consisting of a rectangularlyshaped frame body Il having longitudinally extending bars or ends Ha, Hb and removable heddle elements |'2 which are directed at right angle to said longitudinal frame ends, said elements being adjusted to each other'and held in position on frame Il. Each heddle element l2 is provided with a slot or passageway through which a warp thread may extend. The respec-v tive slots or passageways provided in each set of four elements are of diiferentlengths and are indicated by numerals I4, l5, I6, l1. These passageways are so arranged with respect to each other and to said frame body that they extend equidistantly from each other and are spaced from said longitudinal ends Ila, I Ib; the respective transverse axes (perpendicular to the lengthwise direction of each passageway) of the passageways coincide withl the median center line (extending intermediate the longitudinal frame ends Ila, Ilb of said frame body). These sets or groups of elements are strung on or engage rods I8, I9 extending lengthwise of said longitudinal bars l la, IIb of frame II therewithin. Rods I8, I9 are secured in place by means of nuts itil, which engage the threaded ends of rods I8, IQ.

Opposed ends i241, i222 of each heddle element I 2 t into predetermined grooves l Ic provided in bars IIa, IIb, which grooves communicate with the bores ita, Ia through which rods I8, I9, respectively, extend. It is well understood that reed IE may be provided with handles (not shown but similar in construction to those seen in Fig. '7 to be grasped by the operator for manipulating this reed in connection with looms which do not contemplate the arrangement of a heddle-reed combination which is usually swingably attached to the frame of the loom.

Fig. 2 shows an embodiment of the invention in modified form, the heddle or reed being in the form of a blade or slat 25v in which there are provided series of vprogressively increasing and Cent-rain?y arranged slots Z6, 2l', 28, 2B, which are substantially equally spaced from each other. It will be observed that the reed blade formation 25 may have any suitable thickness and may be manufactured from metal, light metal, wood, piastic or similar material. i

Figs. 3 and 4 illustrate diagrammatically a reed structure of the. type shown in Fig. l in two different positions relatively to the warp threads (A, B, C, D). Frame 3| of reed 3l? carries sets or series of fourv heddle elements or bars 32, 33, Eri, 35, 35, 31, 38, 39, etc., it being observed that heddle elements 3.2 and 3@ are provided with the same type of slot arrangement til, whereas simi-A larly, heddle barsy 3'3 and 31 have the same `type and shape of slot 4I, whereas slots 42 and d3 are, respectively, disposed in corresponding heddle bars 36, 38 and 35, 39. Figs. 3 and 4 show respective series of preferably differently'colored warp threads A, B, C, D threaded or' passing through the respective slots of the heddle bars, the latter being moved during the respective `up and down movements of the reed. 3Q .relatively to said warp threads to obtain various shedsV for the weft carrying hand-eoperated shuttle as may be well understood by those skilled in the art. For example, the shuttle may first pass below rowsof threads A, B and above threads C, D (Fig. 3), then vbelow threads C, D and above threadsv B, A (Fig. 4) ien below threads A and above threads B, C, D (Fig. 3') and finally below threads D and above threads C, B, A (Fig.y 4).

Fig. 6a shows various diagonal positionirigs of 1i one of the warp threads", say A, within a pattern made in accordance with the reed structure, as hereinabove explained.

Fig. 5` showsy a fragmentary viewl partly in section of an adjustable reed 5t' drawn to an enlargedscale. Fig. 5a illustrates a larger portion of this reed in front elevation. Reed 5G has a frame 5I on-` which there are removably and interchangeably affixed reedelements in form oi heddles or bars 52, 53, etc. Each of said reed elements is provided with a xed part 52a, 53a etc., which. slidably and guiding-ly receive for engagement respective upper bar portions' 52h, 53h etc. and at the lower end of the frame corresponding lower slidable portions (see Fig.' 5a) similar in construction to portions 521), 5319. Each slidable portion, such as 52h, 53h, isprovidedwith a slot 5.4 for the engagement of the stem 55 of a set screw 56,A which engages through slot 54 the reed frame- 5 I.-. Movable bar portions 52h, 53h terinmate, respectively, into curved ends 58, 59 for forming the ends of slots 59, 6i of the heddles or bars 52, 53, respectively, which slots may thus be adjusted to provide the extent of the paths in which the respective warp threads G2, 63 may travel.

As seen in Fig. 5, the curved bar end of slidable portion 5219 may be so arranged with respect to curved bar end 59 that a, desired shed of the warp threads will be obtained. Otherwise, reed or heddle 5I) is employed in the same manner as referred to with respect to reeds Ill, 25 and 3U.

Fig. 7 shows a further modication of the reed made in accordance with this invention. Reed 'fil has a unitary, preferably stamped metal frame ll" of closed formation to which are amxed as by brazing or soldering a series of coordinated U-shaped wire pieces l2, i3. These wire pieces so arranged to each other in fixed and superposed position that a closed central loop 'I5 s obtained,` whose upper and lower ends 'lf3 and I6 are positioned, respectively, at the bends of the U-shaped wire `pieces l2 and lil.

To reed 'lil is `further affixed an upper straight bar "il for limiting the upward movement of the 'warp threads adapted to be passed through and guided within slots lil produced between two adjacent pairs of U-'shaped wire pieces 'i 2 and T3. It is apparent that warp threads within aligned slots lli will describe shorter paths than those warp threads which pass through slots 'i8 during reciprocating lowering and raising movements of reed T.

Lower frame part 'F9 terminates into lateral offset handles 82 which may be grasped by the operator when employing the reed also as a heddle and batteri in a loom structure in which a loose reed is of advantage. Rod or bar ll' further reinforces the reedv structure, and it will be observed that thes'paces' or slots {il obtained between bar or rod I"I in' upper frame portion 79a may be utilized to receive any desired number (one or more) of filling wai-ps of particular color, whereby the design of the resulting woven textile material .day be modified.

Positi'onings of various warp threads in slots l5, la and are indicated in Fig. 7 and respectively designated by numerals 15a, 18a and 80a. It is further' possible to arrange for warp threads passing through' slots El between rod member 'I1 and the bent end M of the central loops or slots T5'. Such warp thread is designated lby numeral S'Ia.

Figs. 8 and 9 show a still further embodiment of the invention, the reed gli being produced by a single piece of metal or the like in a stamping opration simultaneously obtaining an upper'row of evenly spaced slots 9i and further lower r'ows of series of alternating slots 92 and 93, which are aligned with respect to the row of slots 9|, but are of different sizes, as can be realized in the drawing (Fig. 8). The unitary frame gli includes a lower frame portion 95 terminating into sidewardly projecting handles 96 (only one handle 9G being illustrated).

The series of slots 93 substantially correspond to slots- T8 of reed lll, whereas the slots 92 sub` stantially correspond to slots 'l5 of reed 19, whereas the rows of slots QI may correspond to the rows of slots 80 of said reed "I8,

- Reeds of the aforesaid type are inexpensive to manufacture, can be easily replaced or exchanged in loom structures in which a loosey reed maybe employed, andsince'the Areed maybe madelight I in weight, it facilitates easy and `effective operation.

It is well understood that reeds constructed in accordance with this invention may be varied according to the coarseness or neness of the yarn or other thread material employed, which may be round, square or similarly shaped material of plastic, metal, textile, either alone or in combination. Thus, a reed with narrow slots may readily be replaced by a reed with "wide slots depending upon the diameter of the material and the texture to be obtained.V .The new reed devices may also be used for textile goods having a width smaller than the width of the reed device itself.

It can thus be seen, that there has been provided in accordance with this invention a reed structure including upper and lower transverse frame bars between which extend a plurality of series of slots of various sizes, the slots of one of said series alternating with slots of the remaining series, said slots accommodating the warp threads passing therethrough from the yarn or warp beam to the front or breast beam of the loom, and handle means laterally extending from the lower frame bars to be grasped by the hands of an operator whereby to move said reed relatively to the loom for the purpose of producing different sheds between the Warp threads for the weft thread introduction.

A loom structure on which reeds of the invention may be used is disclosed in my U. S. Patent No. 2,437,716, dated March 16, 1948.

As many possible embodiments may be made of the above invention, and as many changes might be made in the embodiments above set forth, it is to be understood that all matters hereinbefore disclosed or shown in the accom-V panying drawings are to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent, is:

1. A reed structure of the character described comprising a frame, a plurality of elements car ried by said frame, said elements being provided with series of parallel slots, and means provided on said elements to adjust the slots to different lengths, the slots of one of said series alternating with the slots of another series, said slots being adapted to accommodate therein warp threads, whereby said warp threads may be shifted within said slots to produce sheds for the introduction of a weft thread.

2. A reed structure of the character described comprising a hollow, rectangular frame, heddle elements attached to said frame, each element being provided with a single passageway of predetermined length, a predetermined number of said passageways having diiferent lengths with respect to each other and forming one set of passageways, another predetermined number of passageways having different lengths with respect to each other and forming another set of passageways, the passageways of one set alternating with the passageways of another set of said elements, said passageways being adapted for accommodating therein warp threads, whereby said warp threads may be guided within said passageways to produce a plurality of sheds for weft thread engagement.

3. A reed structure for operation with a loom comprising a frame body of substantially rectangular shape, sets of heddle elements each equidistantly arranged on said frame body and for removal therefrom, and means for maintaining tl i) said elements inth'eir position onsaldfraimegone set of said elements being-provided withfrespec-i each set being arranged 1 in predetermined see quence and centrally-of said-,iframe body, all said slots of said sets of said elements being adapted to receive warp threads and facilitating Aproduction of shedsbetweren said warp threads.

4. A reed structure` foroperation witha loom comprising a frame 4bodyof @substantially rectan`-l gular shape, and sets offheddle elements. each equidistantly arranged on "saidA frame' body and ior removal therefrcmfmeans maintaining said'elements in their-position on said frame,l one set of said elements being provided with respective slots each difieringin length, the slots of each set being arranged in predetermined sequence and centrally of said frame body, all said slots of said sets of said elements being adapted to receive Warp threads and facilitating production of sheds between said warp threads, and means displaceably disposed on said elements and adapted to modify the lengths of said slots to each other.

5. A reed structure for looms comprising a substantially rectangular-shaped body terminating in two longitudinal ends, and sets of substantially parallel passageways associated with said `body and angularly directed with respect to said longi tudinal ends, the lengths of a predetermined number of passageways of each set being progressively increased in regard to the respective preceding passageway, the passageways of each set .being equidistantly arranged with respect to each other and being spaced from said longitudinal ends, the respective transverse axes of the passageways of all sets being in alignment with each other and coinciding with the longitudinal center line of said body, said passageways being adapted to ac commodate Warp threads, Awhereby a plurality of sheds of warp threads for weft thread engagement may be produced upon movement of said body in lengthwise direction of said passageways.

6. A reed structure for looms comprising a substantially rectangular-shaped body terminating in two longitudinal ends, and sets of substantially parallel passageways in said body and directed transversely to said longitudinal ends, the lengths of at least three passageways of each set being progressively increased with respect to the first one of said passageways, all passageways ci each set being equidistantly arranged with respect to each other and being spaced from said longitudinal body ends, the median longitudinal line extending between said longitudinal ends of said body being centrally arranged with respect to said passageways and transversely thereto, said passageways being adapted to accommodate warp threads, whereby a plurality of sheds of warp threads for weft thread engagement may be produced upon movement of said body in lengthwise direction of said passageways.

7. A reed structure for looms comprising a substantially rectangular-shaped frame terminating in two longitudinally extending bars, and sets of elements extending between said bars and xed thereto,said elements being provided with elongated passageways, said passageways being directed transversely to said bars, each set of passageways including a predetermined number of passageways whose lengths increase progressivelywin regard to a respective preceding passageway of said predetermined number of passageways, the passageways of each said set being equidistantly arranged with respect to each other and being 1 spaced from said bars, the transverse axes of the passageways of all sets .being in `alignment with 'each other, said passageways being adapted to accommodate warp threads, whereby a plurality of sheds of warp threads' for weft thread engagement may be produced upon movement of said frame transversely of bars.

8. A reed structure, according to claim '7, wherein said elements are interchangeably and removably' connected with said bars.

9. A reed structureaocording to 4claim 7, wherein the` ends of vsaid elements are threaded 4through rods, respectively, passi-ng through said bars.

JOSEPH TIEFENTHAL.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,173,661 Greeny Feb. 29, 1916 1,464,847 Hryz Aug. 14, 1923 1,869,277 Banima Puig et al. July 26, 1932 2,250,728 Sherrill July 29, 1941 2,346,541 Owen et, al. Apr. 11, 1944 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 13,700 Great Britain 1897 39,223 France July 28, 1931 103,640 Australia June 25, 1926 335,309 France Nov. 24, 1903 

